PARAGUAYAN LEADER DENIES LINK TO DRUGS

ASUNCION, Paraguay -- Dressed in a business suit and appearing comfortable in the office of the man he overthrew, new leader Andres Rodriguez on Monday denied allegations that he is a drug trafficker and said open presidential elections will be held on May 1.

Rodriguez characterized drug dealers as "an assault on humanity" and vowed to stiffen anti-drug laws. Sounding calm and self-assured, he said reports linking him to drug money are part of a campaign to discredit his new government.

"Never in my life have I had any behavior or friendship or connection with any person with respect to narcotrafficking," he said during a series of meetings with the news media.

The meetings with Rodriguez were unusual in a country where the government has long operated under heavy secrecy and has been hostile to the foreign media.

"I detest drugs," he said. "I swear as a Catholic and as a family man; I swear on my children, I have no connections with drugs."

He said his accusers are trying to eliminate him, and he blamed his opposition on politicians.

The drug allegations are based in part on a U.S. State Department report, prepared in 1987, that said the Parguayan narcotics force has been "convinced that Rodriguez was Paraguay's major narcotics trafficker."

On Monday, the State Department issued a statement indicating that the U.S. Embassy here was aware of Rodriguez's background but added: "We are not going to get into commenting on allegations concerning the personal background of any individuals in the new regime.

"What is important at this point are the policies the new regime adopts to bring about genuine democracy and respect for human rights," said State Department spokesman Rudi Boone, quoting from a statement.

"The nature of our bilateral relationship will depend on the actions of the new government, specifically the steps it takes to hold honest elections, to respect human rights and to suppress narcotics trafficking and cultivation," Boone said.

The alleged drug connections and Rodriguez's position as a wealthy member of Paraguay's military elite have sparked skepticism about his goal of creating a "more open, democratic society."

The new government already has set some limits. The communist party will not be allowed to participate, and television correspondents have found their satellite transmission feeds cut when they discuss two taboo topics: drugs and the death during the coup.

Rodriguez, 64, said he has not been in touch with the U.S. ambassador -- or any other U.S. official -- but that he considers the ambassador "a good friend" and will talk to him soon.

Jeff Brown, a U.S. Embassy spokesman, said any decision on whether to officially recognize Rodriguez's government will be announced by the State Department.

Officials of the Roman Catholic church, meanwhile, offered their support to the new government and called the coup "a necessity" after the long years of Alfredo Stroessner's reign.

Archbishop of Asuncion Ismael Rolonsaid, "The church and the people of Paraguay will never allow their desire for freedom to be mocked again."

When Rodriguez was asked about his emotions during the coup that ousted Stroessner, whose son is married to Rodriguez's daughter, the new leader called the uprising "a just and fine cause."